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REEL MAINTENANCE - Ensuring a long life for your Fly Reel
Rinsing and Flushing your Fly Reel
Saltwater is highly corrosive and damage to your reel will likely result if precautions are not taken to remove salt residue at the end of each day. We can not overemphasize the importance of daily rinsing and flushing when our reels are used on saltwater!
The entire reel should be submersed in warm fresh water and agitated to remove loose sand and debris. Warm water helps dissolve the salt. While holding the reel under water, strip approximately 10 meters of line from the reel. After winding the line back on the reel, remove the spool. Thoroughly flush the exposed surfaces of the reel including the spool bearings. Avoid using high pressure spray, because this could force debris into unwanted areas, especially in the reverse clutch mechanism. Shake off excess water and let dry before re-assembling. Apply a non-petroleum based grease to the bearings and spindles of the reel if needed.
Reels should not be soaked in water for long periods of time. Salt residue will not dissolve from tightly wound backing. At the end of a trip, line and backing should be completely stripped from the reel and soaked and cleaned separately. Also, prolonged soaking can distort the cork material and result in an uneven drag.
Cleaning and Lubricating your Fly Reel
In addition to routine flushing, your reel will benefit from a thorough cleaning and lubrication. This should be performed after every saltwater trip and also periodically, depending on use. It is also a good idea to clean and lubricate prior to long-term storage of the reel.
General Tips for your Fly Reel
- Take precautions to never drop or set your reel in sand. Sand grains can damage drag mechanisms and small precision bearings.
- Reels should not be soaked in water for long periods of time. Fresh water will not dissolve salt from tightly wound backing. Line and backing should be completely stripped from the reel and soaked and cleaned separately. Also, prolonged soaking can distort the cork material and result in an uneven drag.
- Be sure to loosen the drag completely when the reel is not in use and especially before long-term storage. If the drag is left tight, the cork may loose its compressibility and become hardened.
- Make absolutely sure your reel is dry before storing. Do not seal it in a plastic bag or other watertight container because leftover moisture or condensation can lead to corrosion. This is especially true if residual salt is present.
- Proper care after each trip will only take a few minutes and ensure reliable performance of your reel for many seasons to come.
- We recommend the use of a non-petroleum based grease (e.g., silicone or lithium) to lubricate the bearings and reel spindle. The cork surface does not normally need lubricating, but a very small amount of synthetic grease will help restore a drag that has begun to stick or chatter.
- Always store your reel in a protective pouch (most come supplied with one), or material bag of some kind. Make sure the reel is completely dry before storage.
- Check your reel after each trip for loose screws which can come undone while fishing.
- Do not over-tightly wind the backing onto your reel. This can cause undue stress on the spool and can lead to a cracked housing.
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